The University of Queensland will turn off its lights for one hour at 8pm on March 29 for Earth Hour.
Vice-Chancellor Professor Paul Greenfield, AO, said the University was delighted to be among Australian and international organisations taking part in Earth Hour, to raise awareness about energy conservation and the impact of climate change.
Professor Greenfield said that at 8pm on March 29, cities around the world would turn off their lights for one hour to show it was possible to take action on global warming. Last year the first Earth Hour was held in Sydney, reducing the city’s energy consumption by 10.2 percent for one hour.
“In Queensland, the Brisbane City Council’s Lord Mayor, Campbell Newman, and Premier Anna Bligh have committed to Earth Hour 2008, as well as thousands of businesses,” Professor Greenfield said.
“We are calculating the amount of energy used to light our buildings at this time on a Saturday night.
“Subsequently we will take readings of how much energy we save during Earth Hour — however, this exercise is not about cost savings, but about demonstrating our commitment to the environment.”
Professor Greenfield said the University would turn off non-essential lighting at a number of key locations during Earth Hour. They include the UQ St Lucia, Gatton and Ipswich campuses, Indooroopilly Mine, Dental School at Turbot Street, Medical School at Herston, Moreton Bay Research Station at Dunwich and Heron Island Research Station.
“We will also encourage staff to turn off their computers, monitors and associated equipment and lights in their work spaces before leaving work on Friday, March 28. This includes laboratories, workshops, meeting rooms, kitchens, ablutions and hallways.
“However, the University will observe Occupational Health and Safety guidelines, and our emergency lighting and University security systems and security officers will operate normally.”
Professor Greenfield encouraged staff and students to also support this initiative on a personal level.
UQ is among Australian university leaders in developing green credentials. Recently it became one of the first Australian universities to draw its electricity from renewable energy sources. It signed up to use 2.5 percent GreenPower, saving 3400 tonnes of CO2 this year – enough to run about 580 homes every month.
The University has reduced its water consumption by 50 percent since 2004 and its Green Office program has resulted in staff conserving energy by turning off lights and non essential equipment and a 47 percent reduction in the amount of recyclable material going to landfill (2002 – 2007).
Earth Hour at UQ is supported by the UQ Union and UQ SPORT. Further details are available by contacting University Security, telephone 3365 1234.
People wishing to register to be involved in Earth Hour can find details at the website at www.earthhour.org
Media: Jan King 0413 601 248.
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